Series Thread: 2) Phoenix Suns vs 7) LA Lakers

[dtgold88]

Yes we did, they won 55 games. They started 5-7 while Pippen was hurt, then went 50-20 once Pippen returned.

Yep...and if I'm not mistaken, MJ never won more than 40 games without Pippen.

 

[DJ]

yeah, i'm not seeing TNT going anywhere. that's a guy they wanna see continue to develop...

It's why they didn't get Lowry.....who definitely would have helped vs the Suns.

Think long term, not short term.

 

[dtgold88]

It's why they didn't get Lowry.....who definitely would have helped vs the Suns.

Think long term, not short term.

Are you saying with 36-year-old Lebron it was smart to think long term?

 

[DJ]

Probably wouldn't have made a difference because AD got hurt but....

 

[pitman]

Real sorry to see the lackers out of it..

 

[bksballer89]

Are you saying with 36-year-old Lebron it was smart to think long term?

Lol

 

[shopson67]

Seriously?

The Warriors have a ton of trade assets with Wiseman and their picks.

Salaries will likely need to match though?

 

[shopson67]

THT is almost assuredly gone from the Lakers it looks like.

Only if they're pursuing a big addition. That would also require the other team to want guys like KCP, Kuzma, Schroder as salary in a deal, so I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[shopson67]

because THT is an Arenas rule free agent it is going to be very difficult to keep you- you can get poison-pilled on that contract a-la Tyler Johnson.

its rare- but it happens when a guy is undrafted.

THT was a second round pick, not undrafted. It's a Clarkson situation all over again for the Lakers basically.

 

[shopson67]

Loving LA getting booted. LeBron seems to not be able to carry a team on his back like Jordan. One more example of him NOT being the goat. Such a poser.

The only thing Jordan carried at age 36 was luggage.

 

[shopson67]

I think Drummond can be useful, but only situationally. He's an excellent rebounder for a guy who isn't really a rim protector, he's a pretty good defender in the paint. But he's pretty limited outside of that and not as good offensively if as he thinks he is.

I don't expect him back because I think he'll want more than the Lakers could/should pay him and there is likely a mediocre team that will pay him closer to what he likely wants.

The biggest thing, imo, is that Ayton is pretty much exactly the kind of center that Drummond should be able to be effective against and Ayton kicked his ass.

Guard play got Ayton his shots. He rarely took anything contested. Lobs, pick and rolls, etc.

 

[tlance]

Salaries will likely need to match though?

They can do that too.

If they are getting a star they just need to
Add Wiggins.

For a KAT type, they could probably get there by simply waiting until after the draft to deal the player they pick and adding a couple smaller salaries.

 

[shopson67]

They can do that too.

If they are getting a star they just need to
Add Wiggins.

For a KAT type, they could probably get there by simply waiting until after the draft to deal the player they pick and adding a couple smaller salaries.

But that team has to want to take on $30M+ for 2 years of a #3 option at best. Not sure there are many takers for that. You're going to have to pile on the draft picks and young assets.

 

[tlance]

But that team has to want to take on $30M+ for 2 years of a #3 option at best. Not sure there are many takers for that. You're going to have to pile on the draft picks and young assets.

I am saying Wiggins + Wiseman and the pick. Plenty of teams would want that.

Could be a 3 team deal as I am sure someone trying to compete might have a comparable expiring contract they would swap for Wiggins.

But the best deal, IMO would be Wiseman, whatever player they draft + salary like Looney (if he takes his player option) and maybe 1 or 2 more small contracts for a star on a rookie max like KAT.

Contracts would match

 

[Black Adam]

The only thing Jordan carried at age 36 was luggage.

meh, haters gonna hate...

 

[Montalban]

Yes we did, they won 55 games. They started 5-7 while Pippen was hurt, then went 50-20 once Pippen returned.

And couldn't even get out of the Eastern Conference in the playoffs as Pippen quit on them.

 

[Wamu]

Loving LA getting booted. LeBron seems to not be able to carry a team on his back like Jordan. One more example of him NOT being the goat. Such a poser.

Always funny when someone leaves a comment and they have no idea what they're talking about. At age 36 MJ was retired. Yep LeBron has never carried a team to a title. If you're not sure who won it all in 2016 don't look, you'll be disappointed.

And you should probably ignore that LeBron's the only NBAer to be named Finals MVP with 3 different teams. One more thing, when the Lakers won it all last season who was their best player?

 

[tlance]

And couldn't even get out of the Eastern Conference in the playoffs as Pippen quit on them.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Pippen sat out 1 play because he didn’t get the ball on a game winner (which Kukoc incidentally made).

The Bulls lost to the Knicks in 7 games. They might have won the series in 6 if not for a phantom foul call that put Hubert Davis on the free throw line to win an earlier game (game 5 I think).

Then the Knicks lost to the Rockets in the Finals.

Point being, the Bulls were right there with the other top contenders while Jordan was playing baseball. That they didn’t get out of the East is irrelevant.

The Cavs couldn’t win 20 games either time LeBron left.

 

[Wamu]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Pippen sat out 1 play because he didn’t get the ball on a game winner (which Kukoc incidentally made).

The Bulls lost to the Knicks in 7 games. They might have won the series in 6 if not for a phantom foul call that put Hubert Davis on the free throw line to win an earlier game (game 5 I think).

Then the Knicks lost to the Rockets in the Finals.

Point being, the Bulls were right there with the other top contenders while Jordan was playing baseball. That they didn’t get out of the East is irrelevant.

The Cavs couldn’t win 20 games either time LeBron left.

And the year after LeBron left the Heat they were below .500 and missed the playoffs.

 

[Black Adam]

Always funny when someone leaves a comment and they have no idea what they're talking about. At age 36 MJ was retired. Yep LeBron has never carried a team to a title. If you're not sure who won it all in 2016 don't look, you'll be disappointed.

And you should probably ignore that LeBron's the only NBAer to be named Finals MVP with 3 different teams. One more thing, when the Lakers won it all last season who was their best player?

Y'know, this is the one time I hate when you're right, but it's all true. But I STILL ain't gotta like him lol...